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SCHIZOPHRENIA

Mental Health, Psychological Disorders / By

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder which interferes with how a person thinks, feels and behaves.

  • It usually appears in adolescence or early adulthood and affects both women and men.
  • The age of onset for men tends to be in their early 20s while women tend to show symptoms of the illness in late 20s or early 30s.
  • It is rare to diagnose schizophrenia in a person younger than 12 or older than 40. However, people who experience their first episode after the age of 40 are said to have late-onset schizophrenia.
  • People suffering from this disorder require long life treatment as it cannot be cured but can be managed with proper treatment.
  • Sufferers often have problems functioning at work, at school, in society, and in relationships.
  • An estimated 23.6 million cases were reported globally in 2013
  • It was estimated in 2015 that about 17,000 people worldwide died from behavior related to schizophrenia.

CAUSES

Expert believe that schizophrenia may have multiple possible causes:

  • GENETICS: Schizophrenia is believed to have a significant genetic component. It is believed that people with a family history of psychosis are at greater risk of developing the disorder. Schizophrenia occurs in people who have a first-degree relative either a parent or sibling with the disorder.
  • INFECTIONS: There is even a risk of developing the disorder before birth. Babies whose mothers suffered from pregnancy and birth complications such as malnutrition, exposure to environmental events such as viral infection and toxins that may impact brain development are at a higher risk of having the disorder later in life.
  • ENVIRONMENT: Difficult lifestyle during childhood, like bullying, early loss of a parent, being a victim of abuse (emotional, sexual, physical), witnessing domestic violence and poverty have been found to increase the risk of developing the disorder.
  • SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Using mind-altering drugs particularly marijuana, hallucinogens, and amphetamines during teen years and young adulthood have been associated with the increased risk of developing the disorder.
  • BRAIN CHEMISTRY: Abnormalities in brain neurotransmitters (dopamine) that allow brain cells to communicate with each other may contribute to the disorder.

SYMPTOMS

Schizophrenia is characterized by:

  • Hearing voices, seeing things, feeling (feeling like something is crawling on the skin), smelling or tasting things that are not there.
  • Increased withdrawal from social situations
  • Inability to sleep or concentrate
  • False belief that is not based in reality
  • Confused thinking
  • Disorganized behavior
  • Incoherent or meaningless way of speaking or writing
  • A constant feeling of being watched
  • Poor or inappropriate responses to happy or sad occasions.
  • A change in personal hygiene and appearance
  • Irritability or depressed mood
  • Lack of motivation

DIAGNOSIS AND SYNDROME

DIAGNOSIS

Healthcare professional diagnose the disorder by reviewing medical, family and health information. Determining a diagnosis may include:

  • Physical examination to help rule out problems that may be causing symptoms
  • Psychiatric evaluation, the symptom sufferer’s mental state is checked by observing appearance and demeanor. The mental health professional may then ask about thoughts, moods, substance abuse and potential for violence. In asking questions, the mental health professional is trying to check if the person suffers from hallucination, delusions or depression.
  • Other tests to check if the individual does not have a medical condition or has been exposed to certain drugs that might produce psychological symptoms.
TREATMENT

A lifelong treatment of the treatment is essential even when symptoms have reduced. Treatment may include medications and psychosocial therapy that may help manage the condition. In rare cases, hospitalization may be required. The treatment is guided by a psychiatrist experienced in treating the condition and may be joined by other professionals like a psychologist, social worker, and a psychiatric nurse.

The most commonly prescribed drug is the antipsychotic medications that are believed to control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitter.

Psychological and social interventions are also important and may include:

Individual therapy that may help normalize thought patterns.

Social skill training that concentrates on improving social interactions and communications.

Family therapy to provide support and educate families dealing with such conditions.

Vocational rehabilitation that focuses on helping people with the condition prepare for work, get a job and learn to keep them.